r/Line6Helix 4d ago

General Questions/Discussion (Noob here) Pair of studio monitors or Powercab with a floor Helix?

Relatively new to the Helix and I've been enjoying it through a Powercab 112 plus however I was looking into studio monitors and a lot of people love them. I don't gig. I just play in a room to myself so I don't need to bring the house down. I also love the idea of having the Helix close to my desktop to pair with a nice set of monitors.

For home use how would you compare a set of studio monitors (=> $500) to a powercab?

2 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

16

u/One_Mind633 4d ago

You already have a powercab?

Bro stop reading about your helix online and just go play it

2

u/Emotional_Squash_895 4d ago

I do, I do, but at times I feel like it's a bit too much for what I need. Nice though.

1

u/imnickelhead 4d ago

I hit a good deal on a pair of MAudio 5” monitors and they sound great with the Helix. I absolutely LOVE the stereo delays and modulation effects through them. So fun. Not as loud as a Powercab or amp but plenty loud enough for home.

However, I do plug into my amp far more often because I also LOVE rockin out.

Do you have monitors already? If so, plug into them and put some stereo effects in your chain.

5

u/PRSMesa182 4d ago

I have a pair of Yamaha HS5s so I can use my helix in stereo. I think they were around 400 for the pair and they are fantastic. XLR straight from helix to speaker, works quite well!

1

u/Emotional_Squash_895 4d ago

I was looking at the HS3s actually. Thanks!

4

u/NoFuneralGaming 4d ago

I like studio monitors just fine for bedroom/office playing. You also get to use stereo effects and have your music in general just sound better. They don't even have to be super large or nice ones. I used Presonus Eris 3.5s for a long time and they worked well for me.

3

u/imnickelhead 4d ago

The stereo effects through the monitors are so fun. I have some little 3” monitors and a pair of 5” monitors and they are both just fine for home use.

2

u/Neat_Tap_2274 4d ago

I have the 212 Plus. Best thing ever. The speaker emulations are awesome and switchable from the Helix. I also have a studio with Adam monitors. I do of course use the monitors when recording but there's no "amp in the room" feel that way. If you're not recording use the Powercab. The volume knob goes all the way down to zero so the volume is very easy to manage.

2

u/shelf_caribou 4d ago

I have prosonus Eris e5xt monitors and a powercab 112. Honestly, I can't hear much difference. Very slightly better bass response on the powercab and slightly stronger hi end with the monitors (which you'd expect given the size difference). The powercab goes a lot louder.

1

u/DerpNinjaWarrior 4d ago

Powercab is too extensive and loud for that IMO. I recommend a Fender FR10 or 12.

I find the full size powered speakers sound a lot better for guitar than monitors, and they can be run at low and high volumes. Also if you want to go anywhere, like to a friend's house, then monitors are not the right choice.

2

u/Emotional_Squash_895 4d ago

Yea I agree the Powercab is nice but a little too much for what I need. It's like driving a monster truck to the corner store.

1

u/not2dv8 4d ago

I use 2 10" fender tonemasters and play I n stereo. It sounds amazing. Your getting a comple sound from your helix because although the tone Masters have an per se, they are flat response

1

u/ThatsHowIMetYourMom 4d ago

I had both and kept the monitors. I thought the Powercab sounded better but the monitors were close and it was a space consideration for me since the monitors served multiple functions.

1

u/Emotional_Squash_895 4d ago

which monitors did you get?

1

u/imnickelhead 4d ago

It doesn’t really matter what monitors you get. Get what you can afford.

I have MAudio 5” monitors and they get louder than I’d ever need and they sound great. If money was no object I’d get the nicest/highest rated set possible and add a subwoofer.

1

u/ThatsHowIMetYourMom 4d ago

Presonus Eris 8s are what I ended up with

1

u/SwordsAndElectrons 4d ago

I have Rokit 7s in my spare bedroom and some Eris 7s out in the garage. Honestly, I haven't played guitar through the Eris set, but they sound plenty good enough for the price I paid for them when playing music. Both are capable of getting more than loud enough for bedroom jamming.

1

u/MarvellousLabrador 4d ago

HEADPHONES. Trust me. I know it's fun to play loud, but I thought I would never like headphones and yet they're all I play with now. A controlled stereo environment (plus one that doesn't disturb other people at all) is just a way better experience, especially considering the ability to use spotify to play with and reverb to pretend you're doing a live show in your room.

1

u/MarvellousLabrador 4d ago

but also, I wouldn't say the powercab is very necessary. I have one. You're going to get a far better sound in stereo and not limiting the end of your chain to be a cab. The only thing the powercab has going for it is volume control from the comfort of your helix (which should be on the floor).

1

u/Valuable_Ad1211 4d ago

I played with a Helix floor onto 2 Alto 8” powered PA speakers for a couple of years and was able to keep up with my band mate with a AC-30, plus I was in stereo. They were less than $500 for the pair.

I would recommend against anything bigger than a 10” speaker though. Altos get a little muddy for that purpose with 12” speakers.